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Harold V. SEELYE (1918 - 2015)
Harold V. Seelye
LINCOLN, IL - Harold V. Seelye, 96, of Lincoln, passed away at his home at 10:50 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
Harold was born June 24, 1918, in Green Valley, Ill. He was the son of Ralph and Nettie Carpenter Seelye. He graduated from Green Valley High School in 1936. Harold then went into the U.S. Army on March 18, 1941. He was the first to be drafted from Green Valley before WWII. He was proud to have served his country in World War II and obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant before he was discharged in November of 1945. He enjoyed recounting stories of the many adventures that he had during this time in his life.
Harold moved to Lincoln in 1952, where he worked for Melvin Trucking Company. In 1953, Harold met the love of his life, Joyce Altman, and was united in marriage on June 10, 1956. She survives.
Other survivors include his daughters, Lisa (Jim) Drew and Barb Brown, both of Lincoln; six grandchildren: John Curcuru, Annalisa Curcuru, Angioletta Curcuru, Tony Curcuru, Shane Harris, and Adam Skinner; two great-grandchildren, Mia Montague and Sophia Barocco; two sisters, Naomi Zuklic of Pekin, and Marian Drake of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews. In addition, he was affectionately called "Grandpa" by the many children that he and Joyce cared for during the years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Clayton Seelye.
Harold was a proud husband, father, and grandfather, and enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Lincoln for over 50 years where he used his talents as a carpenter and woodworker to create items that are still in use today at the church. He also enjoyed playing the harmonica, an instrument that he mastered at an early age after being taught by his father. In addition, he enjoyed the craft of woodworking and created many items that he gifted to family members and friends. He was employed at Lincoln College in Lincoln for 30 years, retiring when he was 80 years old. During his time at the college he worked in the maintenance department where he also served as the college's locksmith. He was known for his thorough and excellent workmanship and integrity in all that he did. He was often described by his family and others as a perfectionist.
Services will be held at noon on Thursday, June 11, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Lincoln with the Rev. Ben Manley officiating. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m.-noon immediately before the services at the church. Burial will be at Zion Cemetery in Lincoln with full military rites accorded by the Lincoln American Legion Post #263.
Memorials may be made to: Memorial Hospice or First Baptist Church.
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Published in The Lincoln Courier on June 8, 2015
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